The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has begun engine air start flight testing of the F404- GE-102 jet engine that powers the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer.

The T-50 is being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with technical assistance from Lockheed Martin . The F404 engine is manufactured by General Electric Aircraft Engines of Lynn, Mass.

Air start testing involves intentionally shutting down the engine in flight and restarting it.

"The goal of our engine air start testing is to verify the air start envelope and procedures," said Lt. Col. Lee, Choong-Hwan, one of the ROKAF T-50 test pilots. "This testing is critical because of the single-engine configuration of the T-50. The F404 has proven to be very reliable in other aircraft programs, and we are confident it will be just as reliable in the T-50."

Approximately 15 flights over a seven-month period are planned to complete the air start testing. Testing will be conducted throughout the T-50 operational envelope to determine optimum procedures in the unlikely event of an engine problem.

The F404/F414 engine family is also used in the F-117, F/A-18, A-4S and Gripen; it powered the initial Rafale, F-20 and X-31 test vehicles; and it has accumulated approximately 11 million engine flight hours of operation.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The T-50 Golden Eagle is being developed by KAI for the Republic of Korea Air Force. Lockheed Martin, as a principal subcontractor to KAI, is providing technical expertise for the program and is responsible for developing the T-50 avionics system, flight control system and wings. The two companies are cooperatively marketing the T-50 internationally.

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. is the Republic of Korea's national aerospace company, established in 1999 with the consolidation of Samsung Aerospace, Daewoo Heavy Industries and Hyundai Space and Aircraft Co. KAI lines of business include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter aircraft and satellites. Its major products are the KF-16, KT-1 basic trainer, T-50, SB427 helicopters, UAVs, aerostructures and KOMPSAT satellite program.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter, and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company